THE WAIHI SITUATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10476, 11 October 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI SITUATION.

| DEMONSTRATION A FAILThMsL PerpPressllAssociation.' Auckalncl, October 10. “Roll up in tens of thousands. This is tiie day and the hour to unit© with 'your in protest against the tyrannical authorities in gaoling men for no other crime than maintaining the right of neaceful picketing and being loyal ta working class principles. If the procession is interfered with or interrupted, do not disband, but proceed to- the gaol and the Domain. ” , So read a handbill circulated freely among all and sundry tins morning, the occasion being the 24 hours’ demonstration called by the Federation of Labour. To call on the workers to turn out in tens of thousands is one thing; to get such an assemblage is another, as the Federation now realises, for at the very outside there were not more than four hundred people who participated in to-day’s procession in Auckland. There are four unions affiliated with the Federation—the watersiders, tramway men, general labourers and brewery employees. The membership of these four unions would total about three thousand. The response at to-day’s demonstration is* therefore significant. , The watersiders have a membership of 700. Less than 300 of their number paraded. The general labourers have a roll call of over one thousand. Not a hundred: demonstrated. The tramway men were away to a man, .and the brewery employees were conspicuous by their absence. When the procession was fairly under way, it was- seen that there were less than four hundred people participating, there being 47 ranks, averaging seven deep. All wore a red badge. A feature of thq procession was the demonstration made all along the route against members of the Tramway Union. The tramwaymen are affiliated to the Federation, but have long lost sympathy with that organisation. Some weeks ago they made their last payments to the Waihi strike fund, and ou Tuesday last they not only unanimously refused to cease work to-day, but further decided to cut adrift from the Federation.

To-day every passing tramcar along the route was the signal for a loud demonstration. Motormen and conductors were vigorously hooted and hailed with such terms as “traitor,” and “scab.”

Nearing the gaol gates, the hand, which was showing signs of feeling the effects of its strenuous efforts, again blared forth and enlivened, the proceedings with the strains of the Red Federation’s battle-song. Outside the gates, a halt was called, and the crowd assembled round a lorry on which sat the officials who had promoted the demonstration. The appearance of some prisoners at the windows of one of the turrets was the signal for loud cheers. There were no prisoners in the yard, the precaution having been taken to place them out of sight. A halfhearted attempt was made to rush the prison gates by some of the rowdier spirits, but wiser counsels prevailed, and the demonstration remained outside the prohibited area. Various , speakers addressed the crowd, demanding the release of the prisoners, and after more baud selections the procession wended its way towards the Domain where further speeches were given. The attendance at the gaol, including the spectators, did not exceed 700.

There was a very indifferent response on the part of the members of the General Labourers’ Union to the Federation's request that they should cease work for the day. Out of the whole sis hundred of the City Council’s employees engaged in general labouring work, for instance, ;not one man threw down his tools, notwithstanding that many of them are members of the General Labourers’ Union

The Taupiri Mines Company to--day received intimation that out of five hundred men engaged in the mine, 96 turned out to work. Of these, 26 were underground workers, including deputies, whose duties are to see to the safe working of the mine; but who are not engaged in the actual work of mining. Interviewed as to what attitude the directors would take in the matter, Mr Alison replied that they had decided that the mine would not be open for employment this week —at least, for those men who had struck to-day. As to what course would be adopted later, it had not been decided, but a meeting of the directors to deal with this question would be held to-morrow. “The directors much regret the action the men have taken,” said Mr Alison. “The company had received no official intimation whatever of the intended strike, the only information it roeeived being through the columns of the press. The Taupiri Mines Company is, I believe, the only company in New Zealand that is working under an award of the Arbitration Court. One of the provisions deals very clearly with|the question of service, and proves clearly that the present cessation of work is a distinct breach of that award. ’ ’

Wellington, October 10. The Wellington Wharf Labourers’ Union has resolved to take a holiday next Wednesday from 8 a.m. until midnight. Waihi, October 10.

Strike matters this afternoon were of a more pronounced character. The main street in the vicinity of the entrance to the mine road was the scene of a larger demonstration of men and women than usual. The street where Delaney lives was also congested, and the now well-known hooting and hoo-hooing were indulged in .with increased vigour. The police, however, took precautions, especially in the conduct of Delaney to his home. The gatherings—principally of women —were in evidence in the vicinity of the homes of workers on the outskirts of the town.

Dunedin, October 10. The Dunedin Waterside Workers by 51 to 7 have decided not to strike. A draft of £834 ISs 3d from the Newcastle mines employees, and £SO from the Perth (Western Australia) railway men, was received by the Federation of Labour yesterday in aid of the Waihi strikers. The Australian and New Zealand contributions to the strike fund received this week amount to over £2OOO. Mr P. Fraser telegraphed to the Federation executive in Wellington from Waihi to-day: “Five less men gone to the mine to-day. Sixty tons

quartz se'id yesterday to the'’battery from ore reserves. The ordinary output before cessation of work- was nearly 1000 tons, of ore per day..-” Palmerston N., October it),’

A meeting of flaxmill workers at Tokomaru, at which 240 were present, confirmed the resolution of tbs' -Union Executive passed last Saturday, that on a day to be arranged all men in the union shall cease work at rhe "mills tor 24 hours, as an expression of sympathy with the Waihi flien who have been sent to gaol. All at othe meeting promised to give one day’s pay towards the strikers, Waihi, October 11. Strike matters are quiet. The men went to work this morning without incident. Last night the house of one of the workers was assailed with eggs. On the appearance of the police the assailants dispersed.

WELLINGTON CHAIRMAN’S WARNING. Wellington, October 11. Mr Fletcher, chairman of the Harbour Board, replying to the Waterside Union’s notification to have a holiday ou Wednesday next for Waihi demonstration, reminds the Union of its agreement, and points out that this holiday will he a breach of the same. It the Union carries out its intention the only course left open to him will be to carry on the Board’s business to the best possible advantage with whatever labour may be available.